Pressley Wants Youngsters To See Themselves As First Teamers

24 June 2013 10:28

Coventry City manager Steven Pressley wants to see the players in City's Development (U21's) squad to see themselves as potiential first team players.

“With the 24/25 players we’ll have to work with we want to give them all equal game time during the pre-season,” said Pressley to the Coventry Telegraph.

“At times we’ll split the two groups but we want a tight squad whereby every player is vying for a place.

“Initially, the players will be a mix of development and seniors, but in the later friendly games it will be more based around the potential team for the start of the season. But I want the development players to all consider themselves as potential first-teamers.

“I want them to come back fighting for a place in the first game of the season, no matter what their age.”

As well as having the likes of Lee Burge, Billy Daniels, Leon Lobjoit, Arron Phillips, Jordan Willis and Ryan Haynes all pushing for places in the first team, Pressley is looking a couple of experienced players and he said: “The key aspect for me is also getting a number of experienced players with an attitude and leadership who can play a significant role.

“It has been a great success story at Manchester United where they have done that, where they have had leaders in the dressing room to help the younger players because it can’t always come from the manager.

“So I will be working hard to bring in a couple of characters who I feel can really enhance the group mentally.”

More on this; http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-boss-steven-pressley-4702709?